A letter was sent to Oakland officials on Friday by California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) in an effort to encourage them to tighten their police pursuit policy.
“Although some California jurisdictions allow vehicle pursuits for only certain crimes (e.g., felonies), Oakland is an outlier by imposing exceptional restrictions on [the Oakland Police Department’s (OPD)] ability to police criminal activity, generally permitting pursuits only for ‘violent forcible crimes,’ as defined in OPD’s policy, and crimes involving firearms,” Newsom stated in a letter to the city’s mayor.
“This means that, unlike in nearly all other California jurisdictions, local police in Oakland cannot pursue individuals suspected of committing many felonies, any misdemeanor, even if violent, and other offenses that endanger public safety, such as reckless driving, sideshow activity, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” he continued.
“In particular, the CHP has brought to my attention that they observed criminals often fleeing with impunity because it’s common knowledge that the Oakland Police Department’s (“OPD”) pursuit policy allows vehicle pursuits in only very limited circumstances. They observed suspects attempting to escape arrest by using the same routes, concluding that they knew where OPD would discontinue a pursuit. Fortunately, with the resources available to the CHP, including air support, the suspects were unable to evade the six pursuits that the CHP initiated.” he added.
After the Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this year that cities have the authority to enforce prohibitions on sleeping outdoors publicly, Newsom also recently ordered the removal of homeless encampments in the state.
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